Japanese Kerria

Kerria japonica

Rosaceae (Rose Family)

▲▼  mature plants

▲▼ flowers

▲ foliage and bright green zig-zag twigs

Location near campus:  along west side of Xeriscape Garden; Xeriscape Garden is at northwest corner of National and Linwood, about 3/4 mile south of campus on National Avenue.

Kerria japonica: Japanese Kerria, Japanese Rose

·         leaves alternate, deciduous, simple, ovate-lanceolate with doubly-serrate margins and pointed tip; bright to light green in color and paler beneath with some pubescence; 1/5-4" long and 1/3-1/2 as wide; often turns bright yellow in fall

·         stems slender, green, often zig-zag in appearance, glabrous and glossy

·         flowers showy, rose-like, bright yellow, sometimes double-flowered, at tips of branches in late spring and often re-flowering sporadically through summer; fruit is an acheneC not showy

·         grows 3-6' tall and 6-9' wide with arching upright stems to form a broad, rounded plant

·         prefers part shade, but can tolerate full-sun to full-shade; best flowering in part shade; needs well-drained soil with moderate fertility— too much water & nutrients creates a more gangly plant

·         medium to fast growth rate